Automatic match-box



No. 609,0l7. Patented Aug. I6, I898.

w. J. Foss.

AUTOMATIC MATCH BOX.

(Application filed Apr. 12, 1897.)

(No Model.)

INVENTOR W6 B) A TTORNEY-a m: "cams PETERS 24 mo'roLnuQ, WASHINGTON. o. c.

PATENT FFIGEt IVILIJIAM J. FOSS, OF JERSEY GIT Y, NEIV JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,017, dated August 16, 1898.

Application filedApril 12, 1897. Serial No. 631,818. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. Foss, a citi-. zenof the United States, and a resident of vided with a slot through which the matches are adapted to be automatically passed by operation of the slide.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved match-safe of this class which will possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness, convenience, ease of opera tion, and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspectlve view of the match-safe embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the slide.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body of the match-safe, which is box shape, as shown, and provided with a top or cover B, which may be hinged, as at b, and secured by a clasp and look, as at. b". The box or body A is divided by an interior vertical partition a to form a match reservoir or receptacle A, the bottom 'of which is formed by a slide or platform 0, said slide being mounted and guided in transverse horizontal slots or openings a a in the interior parti-' tion a and the front wall a of the box.

The horizontal slide O is longitudinally ar-L ranged with respect to the box or body and is provided with a front enlargement or head 0, projecting exteriorly at the front of the box and forming a hinge by which the slide may be operated against a tension of a spring.

mechanism D, connecting the inner end of the slide with the box. This spring mechamsm may embody two hooks cl cl, respectively" projecting-from the slide and the rear end of the box, over which hooks an elastic strap or band 01' may be sprung. Ata point near the inner end of the portion of the slide which forms the bottom of the match-compartment A the slide is provided with a transverse slot or opening 0, adapted to accommodate a match, and under the slotted end of the slide is arranged a platform or horizontal partition a which serves to retain the match Within a slot 0, during the movement of the slide.

The matches are assembled in a transverse which base G may be constructed of rubber or other elastic or flexible material, by which arrangement the device is especially adapted for efiective and convenient use upon counters or the like, and the latter are insured against scratching or other damage by reason of the cushion-base.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. In the automatic feeder of the matches a single match will always rest within the slot of the slide, and it is only necessary. to pull the slide outwardly with respect to the box or body until the match is'carried outside the latter,

when it will automatically drop in the hand of the operator or upon the cushion-base G. Whenthe slide is released, it automatically returns to normal position by action of the spring mechanism D, and in its return movement another match is fed into the carryingslot in the slide.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, a match safe comprising the body A provided with the cover 13, said body having a vertical partition a forminga match-receptacle A, theslide O mounted in transverse horizontal slots in the partition a and front wall a of the box, said slide provided with a head 0 projecting in a match in the slot during movement of the slide, and a weighted block E restingnpon the matches in the box A to retain them in position for feeding into the slot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two Witnesses, this 10th day of April, 1897.

lVILLIAM J. FOSS.

\Vitnesses:

E. TIBBITS, O. SEDGWICK. 

